New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) stands next to head coach Rex Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals. / Bill Kostroun, AP

by Chris Chase, USA TODAY Sports

by Chris Chase, USA TODAY Sports

After another rough start, Mark Sanchez was benched for his backup quarterback, who entered the game to a rousing ovation for the crowd at MetLife Stadium and promptly took the team down the field for what would be a game-winning touchdown.

The score was textbook. The backup rolled out on third-and-goal and threw a floater to a wide-open tight end after drawing the attention of the defense.

Everything was just like Jets fan had hoped, except for one small change: Tim Tebow was nowhere to be found.

Because the Jets celebrated backup was inactive for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a rib inu, third-string quarterback Greg McElroy was tabbed as Sanchez's replacement when Rex Ryan benched the starter late in the third quarter.

It was like waiting for Godot and having a dude named Lou show up.

Sanchez threw three interceptions on the Jets' first five possessions. The team was shutout through the first 37 minutes against the struggling Arizona Cardinals.

Enter McElroy.

His first throw fell incomplete. He converted a third down on the next throw, ran for a short gain and drew a personal foul penalty on the defense, then threw the one-yard touchdown to Jeff Cumberland, giving the Jets a 7-3 lead early in the fourth quarter. The team would hold on for a 7-6 victory.

Before he entered the game, McElroy received an encouraging pat on the head from Sanchez and a low-five from Tebow, who was in street clothes. Fans cheered loudly to welcome the next great Jets hope.